Teen arrested after soldier from Moorpark killed in Colorado burglary

Photo from David Dunlap Facebook page
David Dunlap, 37, and wife Whitney M. Butler, 35, were shot and killed by a burglar when they returned to their Colorado Springs home Monday.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A soldier formerly from Moorpark and his wife were killed when they returned home during a burglary, and a 17-year-old has been arrested in the case, police said.

Police said the boy was arrested without incident Thursday on a first-degree murder warrant.

No identity of the arrested teen was given, but Colorado Springs police earlier had said a murder warrant was issued for Macyo Joelle January, 17.

Barbara Miller, a police spokeswoman, said, "We were able to find enough probable cause to file an arrest warrant for the teen."

Police had said earlier that David Dunlap, 37, and his wife, Whitney M. Butler, 35, were shot and killed by a burglar when they returned to their Colorado Springs home about noon Monday. Police say January acted alone and is the only suspect.

Dunlap was a staff sergeant in the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson outside Colorado Springs. The Army lists his home of record as Moorpark, and his Facebook page says he graduated from Simi Valley High School.

Relatives in Ventura County could not be reached for comment Thursday.

"He was very nice. He'd always wave to the kids in the neighborhood," said a neighbor in Colorado Springs who did not want to be identified.

Dunlap and his wife were recently married and moved into the home in October, the neighbor said. The couple were expecting their first child, according to the neighbor.

"I feel very scared. This doesn't happen in this neighborhood," the neighbor said.

Dunlap graduated from Simi Valley High in 1993 and from Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa, last year, according to his Facebook page.

Dunlap says on his page that he joined the Army because he wanted to "do something fun and exciting." He attributes friends who have died too soon as his inspiration to become a better person.

Dunlap's specialty was repairing armament, electrical and avionic systems on Apache helicopters, the Army said. He joined the Army in 2003 and arrived at Fort Carson in November.

He deployed to Iraq in 2007-08. His awards and medals included the Meritorious Service Medal.

Fort Carson officials issued a statement saying they were "deeply saddened by this event and wish to extend condolences and offer heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the families, friends and fellow soldiers who have been affected by this terrible incident."

This article contains material from staff writer Jennifer Letzer and The Associated Press.